Stuck With My Enemy Ex

Stuck Together In Mermaid Shores

by Andrea Ocean

Planning a reunion with your ex isn’t fun… even if he’s a secret billionaire.

Elijah Cromwell dumped me ten years ago and my heart’s never recovered.

Inseparable since birth, our breakup is still the talk of our hometown Mermaid Shores.

I can’t even think of him without feeling sick.

Now he’s the surprise guest of honor at the high school reunion I’m planning, and minutes later, we’re stuck together… in a broken elevator, with nothing to say to each other.

The entire town’s convinced we’re meant to be, but he married someone else and she died. He’s mourning her… not thinking about me.

Yet working together on the reunion, at the venue where I always dreamed we’d be married, and forced together at every turn, I’m reminded even more of all we once were.

When he reveals the real reason he left ten years ago, I realize I hated him so much because… maybe I never stopped loving him at all.

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2024

Reviews

[Silvia Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.85 ⭐️ Obviously it had to been a really fast closure but I didn’t like it at all, I don’t think I get the reason he left, I mean, he just said that and she’s like well then it’s Ok 🙂

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoiler alert. They aren't actually enemies, MMC left he supposed best friend of 18 years without telling her why, and she forgives him when he tells her the really lame reason -- I wanted to find my deadbeat dad. Um, how hard would that have been to tell your girlfriend? LAME. And even though she was left heartbroken, of course they can just pick up where they left off after 10 years. No character growth. She lets him off way too easy, and he never had a believable reason for breaking up with her. Oh, and it was a dual POV, so we got to hear him whine the entire time about how hard it was for him and how he didn't deserve her. Which he didn't. But the whole very small town (and her very pushy cousin) want them to get back together, so, of course they do. Oh, and he is rich now. Like no one else in town might be annoyed with him for breaking her heart and leaving her there and not coming back for 10 years? That is explained away because -- rich. He donated money to the town so they won't remember he was such a dick. Throw in the fact there there is a dead wife that he never loved, and you can see why the man is just so not swoon-worthy. Am I supposed to like him more because of that? Ohh, look, I am emotionally unavailable, please take me back! I think I need a break from second chance romances after this one.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can come home again. - Elijah returns home after a decade to find that, as much as things have changed, they have remained the same. Familiar faces and places around every turn. So it's no surprise when he runs into his old flame, his best friend since birth, his Josie. But he left her behind without a second glance, so is she really his anything anymore?

Josie knew Elijah would be at the reunion. They graduated together, just like they had shared every important event in their lives since childhood. But that day marked the beginning of the end of Josie-and-Elijah. She chose to stay; he chose to leave. How is she going to make it until he goes away again?

No naughty talk or deeds in this one. Just two people vying with their own feelings for the lover of their youth, surrounded by a town of loveable locals who remember the couple with great fondness and are rooting for their reunion. A good read from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie and Elijah were THE couple in high school. Only for it to break apart when Elijah moves across country for college, and then doesn't return home for 10 years! However, as their 10-year reunion is coming up, Elijah is going to be honoured for his contributions to their home town, and now Josie has to deal with organising the event, and remembering all the reasons she doesn't know why things with Elijah went south all those years ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Their interactions were done so well to help us feel how uncomfortable they each felt with the situation, and the flashbacks, and catch up of their history and the last 10 years was done in a way that really helps you to understand where each of the characters is coming from. I loved how they eventually reconnected, and then move on to find their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie and Elijah were inseparable for the first 18 years of their lives. They were best friends then boyfriend and girlfriend until Elijah leaves for university on the west coast and never came back. Now he’s back as a guest of honour for their 10 year high school reunion. Josie was crushed when Elijah left. She has never let herself fall in love again. She now runs an event planning company and is in charge of the reunion event. It’s inevitable that Elijah and Josie will run into each other and with the help of the towns mystic and her meddling cousin they are forced to confront the past. Can they overcome their past hurts to take another chance on love. I really enjoyed this book it’s a sweet story and a quick fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both Josie and Elijah are from Mermaid Shores. Neighbors and sweethearts, life separates them with heart break for 10 years. One thing about a small town is that everyone knows all. Josie and her cousin have a business and are planning the Mermaid Shores 10th reunion. At this point Josie has no idea that Elijah will be coming back home to accept an award. She has many memories of their childhood and start of a loving relationship. It's tense when they get stuck in an elevator at the school. Skirting around each other trying to find the right words to say after 10 years of being apart.
I found Josie and Elijah's thoughts of each other a heartfelt touch of their time spent together. It's refreshing to hear the other side of the couple. I'm going to stop here. I would like you to experience a second chance for Josie and Elijah for yourselves. I know your going to love it as much as I did.

[Naila C Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 stars 🌟

🧡 Dual POVs
❤️ Childhood Best Friends
🧡 First Love
❤️ Force Proximity
🧡 Second Chance
❤️ Young Love
🧡 Small Town Romance

Josie and Elijah were best friends since they were children. They became a couple when they were teenagers. However, they went their separate ways after high school with a bad breakup that the whole town knows about. Elijah returns home for a high school reunion, and Josie is surprised to see him after 10 years. There was a reason Elijah left Mermaid Shores all those years ago, and he didn't tell anyone until now. Josie and Elijah might give it another shot when the truth comes out about what happened so they could move forward. They might fall in love with each other again.

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another sweet story set in Mermaid Shores. Although the characters from the previous stories from Mermaid Shores are mentioned, it is not necessary to have read the previous stories to enjoy this one. The author does a great job developing the story and characters. This is a thoroughly entertaining story that I highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Elijah and Josie’s story.
This is a well written story which has family, friendships, heartbreak, emotions, 10-year reunion, taking chances, overcoming the past, humor, witty banter, challenges, second chances, twists and turns, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and sweet, small town romance,
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Britt G · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to feel all the feels - this book is for you. My heart-strings will never be the same - in a good way.

Expect:
- Big feels
- Second chances
- Unique scenes
- Happy ending

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy romance, especially with small town settings, second chances, billionaires, and soulmates.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tami Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie and her cousin are in charge of planning the high school reunion. What she's not aware of is that her first love, who left after graduation and never returned, is returning.... as the guest of honor? Elijah is shocked with the changes in Josie. Will she be able to forgive him? Can they rebuild their friendship and maybe get back together?.

I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

One loves her little town. She leaves only long enough for college She became an event planner
He left town and never came back. He became a billionaire. Unselfishly m, he donated to his little town in many significant ways Now he was to awarded for his efforts but she did not like that at all. She was in trouble. Such a cute story with lots of funny twists and turns

[Suze82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

complicated
Elijah and Josie´s story in this review copy shows relationships are complicated: on the outside everybody might think you are perfect for each other, but you both have to feel it, too to have a real chance at a HEA. Trust is also a big issue both in friendship or in love, when times get rough, you stick together and help each other out, no matter what.

[Jaime Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another sweet story set in Mermaid Shores. A good read from beginning to end.The author does a great job developing the story and characters. Their interactions were done so well to help us feel how uncomfortable they each felt with the situation, and the flashbacks. I loved how they eventually reconnected, and then move on to find their HEA.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic Read

I read this story and enjoyed it even though I knew it would have a happy ending. It was fun going through each chapter and waiting to see what would happen next. I got through the good and the not so good because I loved reading about each happening in the story!

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable second chance romance! I love when he brings her soup even when he isn't feeling well and ends up falling asleep! I would love to read an epilogue from 2 years in the future or something as a finisher but it ended very good!

[Chia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josie and Elijah's story was AMAZING! I loved them and their chemistry... fantastic! I could't stop reading! The journey, the ups and downs that come with a second chance... Such a sweet story with great sense of humour and characters ♥
Definitely recommend this book, you won't be disappointed

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrea Ocean’s “Stuck with My Enemy Ex,” is a sweet, clean, second chance romance with childhood best friends, first love, and forced proximity, told from dual POVs. It’s an enjoyable short and sweet read!
3.5 stars ⭐️ rounded up.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

This high quality rom com is funny, lovely, charming and sunny blue skies. The situational awkwardness is described very well.

[wanda jenicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story

I was totally expecting them to meet and not ending together. But I'm sure glad that they figure out what happened and ended up together.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dropped a couple of stars due to the really abrupt ending

[Felicia Zarazua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read. It got me out of my reading slump. I wish it was stretched out more. I wanted more with the ending. Literally ended with a kiss. But that’s okay, it was cute.

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️

If you have read my reviews on other books by Andrea, you know how much I love Mermaid Shores and the characters that we get to meet and read about. In the past, her books have always had one of the MCs escaping to Mermaid Shores to get out of the limelight. In this story, both MCs are from Mermaid Shores. Once has lived there their whole life and the other couldn’t wait to get out of there as soon as high school was over and never returned. It was fun to see Mermaid Shores through their eyes; one who adores the town and knows it’s where they are meant to be; the other coming back after being gone for 10 years somewhat forced. And we get a glimpse inside Miss Maisie’s house!!!! If you read Andrea’s books, you know how special of a moment that is.

Josie and Elijah were thick as thieves growing up. With birthdays only two days apart, Josie has never known life without Elijah, until he left for college, leaving her behind. After 10 years, their high school reunion brings them back together, not willingly either. During Elijah’s trip home all he can do is think about when he can go back home and leave this town once and for all.

As the two of them are forced together, walls are broken, truths are share, and vulnerabilities are seen. Will these two be able to get passed the hurt from 10 years ago or will it continue to haunt them to the point of staying on opposite sides of the country?

Andrea delivers a beautiful story of forgiveness, second chances, and the importance of being truthful not only with others, but with yourself. The past is not easy to forget, but letting it define you can be detrimental to you and those you love. The story flows nicely, and although a short read, nothing feels rushed or left out. The only thing this reader would have loved to seen is an epilogue of Mermaid Shores at the end of the story.

As always, review any trigger warnings before reading.

Tropes:
🌊Second Chance Love
🌴Coming Home MMC
🌊Loved by all local FMC
🌴Childhood best friends to High school sweethearts to enemies to lovers
🌊Small town romance
🌴HEA

[Ineta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this small town Enemies to Lovers sweet romance. Read it after the next book (Stuck With The Billionaire Grump: A Small Town Enemies to Lovers Sweet Romance) to see the Josie's and Elijah's story. I absolutely loved the characters, all of them, known from other books of the Author.
And love Mermaid Shores.
I loved the story of reunion of Josieandelijah after many years apart. And their revelations.
Easy to read, sweet story, I read it one go. Love the Author's style and language.